The five-man band named 311 just released their self-titled album, which is topping the charts with their two recently released singles, "Down" and "All Mixed Up." These are a great example of the band's many-sided talents. 311 employs a wide array of styles that complement each other, resulting in a new, unique, and almost irresistible vibe. Many styles contribute to this including reggae, rap, alternative rock, hard-core, and an almost acapella singing in some songs.
The songs "Down"' and "Hive" are two examples of the band's hardcore, rap, and alternative rock backgrounds intertwined into one unique style. These two songs are similar because they both have a heavy guitar and bass, as well as loud drums keeping the rhythm. (This trend applies to many songs on the album.) They also have a similar singing style, which sounds like a mixture of Rage Against The Machine, Full Contact, and some West Coast rap, all bound up into the smooth croon of Nick Hexum and Martinez. These songs get you pumped up for a game. Anyone who likes hard-core, alternative, and rap music will definitely love songs of this CD.
The recently released song "ALL Mixed Up" and "Sweet" both fall into a second category. They bind together the styles of reggae, rap, and alternative rock allowing in lighter, yet still rockin' songs. These types of songs introduced me to a new musical experience. These songs are great for parties, driving in the car, or just chillin' at home. Rockers and non-rockers alike will enjoy this style. Although the songs do get a bit annoying if listened to a lot, they are still very catchy and add to the depth of 311's musical groove.
The unique mixture of musical styles and wide array of songs adds to what makes them such a great new group. Instead of sticking to one type of style, 311 has a fresh sound to every song. Any type of music listener will appreciate some aspect of 311's unique style, and almost any alternative rocker would want to add this album to their CD collection
Monday, May 8, 1995
Monday, July 18, 1994
Saturday, July 9, 1994
311 Pounds Out 'Party Jams' to Its Own Beat (LA Times)
Pop music: Singer Nicholas Hexum credits the band's roots in Omaha--yes, Omaha--for its sound. They play at Huntington Beach's Club 5902 on Sunday.
The members of 311 had been living in Los Angeles for a couple of months, sampling the local music scene, when a big-time record label expressed interest in signing them. But the neo funk-rock-rap-reggae quintet decided against doing the usual showcase in some prestigious Hollywood venue.
Instead, the band insisted on playing back home, in Omaha. "It's so much more of a moving experience there, with 500 or 1,000 teen-agers who know all the words, said singer Nicholas Hexum.
Here, it just wasn't the same. For one thing, many L.A. clubs don't admit people under 21, and besides, Hexum noted, "when you see any band around Hollywood, there's usually a distance between the band and the crowd, with people standing around, sipping their drinks, looking around at the booty. It's a totally different thing from a real concert with all ages."
He says 311 is rediscovering much of that real concert excitement on its first national tour, which lands Sunday night at Club 5902 in Huntington Beach. The band also has found time to record "Grassroots," its second album for Capricorn.
If listeners have been surprised by the pounding funk energy of this band, Hexum said, it is only due to ignorance of the "small but very cool scene" that exists in Omaha. Though the state's roster of famous natives includes Marlon Brando and William Jennings Bryan, Hexum acknowledged that musically "there hasn't been anybody really successful enough to put Omaha on the map" (though Matthew Sweet has been a critics' fave).
"There's a total diversity of music there," Hexum said.
"It's good party jams, man," added 311's co-vocalist, who goes by the name of SA.
311 developed its own hard rhythmic pulse over the course three independently released records before working on "Music," its Capricorn debut. Now, after all these nights on the road, "we're in the best shape we've ever been," Hexum said.
A goal of "Grassroots" was to capture the raw energy of 311's live gigs. Another was to assemble a collection of songs that fit together, with the aid of producer Eddie Offord (who did "Music" and whose resume also includes work with Yes).
The "Music" album, Hexum said, is "three years worth of music, kind of like a best of; we took all our best old songs. This new album all was written within two months. There is more similarity between the songs. We're more cohesive."
The members of 311 had been living in Los Angeles for a couple of months, sampling the local music scene, when a big-time record label expressed interest in signing them. But the neo funk-rock-rap-reggae quintet decided against doing the usual showcase in some prestigious Hollywood venue.
Instead, the band insisted on playing back home, in Omaha. "It's so much more of a moving experience there, with 500 or 1,000 teen-agers who know all the words, said singer Nicholas Hexum.
Here, it just wasn't the same. For one thing, many L.A. clubs don't admit people under 21, and besides, Hexum noted, "when you see any band around Hollywood, there's usually a distance between the band and the crowd, with people standing around, sipping their drinks, looking around at the booty. It's a totally different thing from a real concert with all ages."
He says 311 is rediscovering much of that real concert excitement on its first national tour, which lands Sunday night at Club 5902 in Huntington Beach. The band also has found time to record "Grassroots," its second album for Capricorn.
If listeners have been surprised by the pounding funk energy of this band, Hexum said, it is only due to ignorance of the "small but very cool scene" that exists in Omaha. Though the state's roster of famous natives includes Marlon Brando and William Jennings Bryan, Hexum acknowledged that musically "there hasn't been anybody really successful enough to put Omaha on the map" (though Matthew Sweet has been a critics' fave).
"There's a total diversity of music there," Hexum said.
"It's good party jams, man," added 311's co-vocalist, who goes by the name of SA.
311 developed its own hard rhythmic pulse over the course three independently released records before working on "Music," its Capricorn debut. Now, after all these nights on the road, "we're in the best shape we've ever been," Hexum said.
A goal of "Grassroots" was to capture the raw energy of 311's live gigs. Another was to assemble a collection of songs that fit together, with the aid of producer Eddie Offord (who did "Music" and whose resume also includes work with Yes).
The "Music" album, Hexum said, is "three years worth of music, kind of like a best of; we took all our best old songs. This new album all was written within two months. There is more similarity between the songs. We're more cohesive."
Monday, May 9, 1994
Sunday, March 6, 1994
Tuesday, January 4, 1994
Saturday, January 1, 1994
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